A safe containing more than £3,000 was stolen by raiders who smashed their way into a sports centre.

It is believed either a van or 4x4 off-road vehicle was used to rip out a window at Portslade Sports Centre early yesterday.

The specially strengthened window took part of the centre's office wall with it, leaving a gaping hole.

The raiders then got into the office and slid out the safe which had been bolted to the wall.

It is thought they loaded it into the back of the vehicle before driving off along Chalky Road just after 2am.

It is the second time the building has been targeted recently.

A similar bid two months ago failed when raiders managed to rip the old window out but they did not get the safe that time.

Police were alerted yesterday by a caretaker who called them after discovering the damage as he arrived for work at 4.15am.

The area around the office was taped off and builders were called in to prop up the damaged wall of the building, owned by Brighton and Hove City Council.

The centre was able to open as usual but users were kept away from the wrecked office. Manager Graham Whittaker said: "They have come up to the building and taken the window out leaving rather a large hole in the wall.

"A builder has been in to look at it. Repairing the damage and replacing the safe will cost about £5,000.

"There is a CCTV camera outside and police are going to be looking at what is on it.

"It revolves as it films and there is a shot of a van or off-roader in the car park but you don't see how they did the damage because the camera was pointing away then.

"We had the window strengthened after it happened a few months ago but this time they have taken half the wall out with it."

Sergeant David Bettis appealed for anyone with information to phone Hove police station on 0845 6070999.